Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.

Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.

ProblemsByVin File / 2013-HYUNDAI-SONATA
2013 · hyundai

hyundai Sonata problems

2 safety recalls. 1,874 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.0 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

engine
532 reports · avg $3,100
severe
steering
339 reports · avg $700
critical
electrical
220 reports · avg $850
severe
lighting
125 reports · avg $250
severe
airbags
83 reports · avg $1,100
severe
powertrain
80 reports · avg $2,500
severe
brakes
71 reports · avg $450
severe
fuel system
71 reports · avg $1,200
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2013 Sonata · lighting
THE PASSENGER TAIL LIGHT ROUTINELY BURNS OUT MELTING THE PLASTIC TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY
12/31/2019 · NHTSA ODI #11292325.0
2013 Sonata · steering
STREERING WHEEL MAKING A THUMPING SOUND WHEN ITS TURNED TO LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE CAR IS ON. MECHANIC SUGGESTED IT WAS POSSIBLY THE BUSHINGS AND MENTIONED THEIR MAY HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE.
12/31/2018 · NHTSA ODI #11164156.0
2013 Sonata · lighting
AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. I CAN RESET IT AND THE LIGHT GOES AWAY BUT COMES BACK LATER.
12/31/2018 · NHTSA ODI #11164257.0
2013 Sonata · steering
I AM UNABLE TO ACCESS THE HYUNDAI BLUE LINK SOFTWARE WHICH CONTROLS REMOTE START, ENGINE STOP, VEHICLE TRACKING AND OTHET ITEMS. HYUNDAI DEALER AND HYUNDAI MOTOR CORP REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING MAKING NTHIS VEHICLE AND ANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME FEATURE A HAZARD. IF SOMEONE HACKS…
12/31/2015 · NHTSA ODI #10817289.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 18V137000 27/02/2018

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles

If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install an external wire filter kit, free of charge. The recall began October 15, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 174.
severe NHTSA 12V352000 24/07/2012

Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Hyundai Sonata passenger cars, manufactured from January 24, 2012, through June 21, 2012

The curtain airbag may inflate without deployment command and increase the risk of injury to occupants of the vehicle. Additionally, an unexpected deployment would be a significant driver distraction and would limit the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Hyundai dealers will notify owners, and dealers will replace the curtain side airbags free of charge. This recall began on August 31, 2012. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.

Common questions

Is the 2013 Hyundai Sonata reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.0 out of 10 based on 1,874 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Hyundai Sonata has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

What's the most common problem on the 2013 Hyundai Sonata?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 532 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Hyundai Sonata has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Hyundai Sonata?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 1,874 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 11 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with hyundai. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
Get a free warranty quote →